Not arriving in MK 4/14 until 1pm will we have trouble

[buzzandjulie]

Help
We have a 10:20 arrival time on 4/14 then need to get car check into Dolphin and get to MK to see D march down Main Street I know we would normally have time to do this because we have taken this flight many many times before and usually in MK by 1pm. my concern is that people are posting that the park is being closed to guests. If i get there and the park has been closed to guest is there anyone i might be able to talk to and tell my situation. Will they let us in just to see parade that is really all we care about. I tried to change to differant flight like maybe day before but no can do seeing we used FF miles. Any help would be appreciated before I have stroke worrying about this for the next 5 days!
The other think when did the 3pm parade change to 2! Wasn't the joke always hao many people asked what time the 3o'clock parade was. Well the joke is on me this time because it's 2!

 

[kangaandroo]

I'm pretty sure that if you are staying on property, you are guaranteed to be admitted to the parks.

 

[mad4themouse]

Staying onsite does not guarantee you admission during times of peak attendance. The park closes in stages and there are four levels of closing:

Phase 1: Guests who have not already bought tickets will be told that the park is full and they will be turned around at the auto plaza.

Phase 2: Only resort guests, PAP & AP holders, crossovers and guests re-entering one of the parks the same day. If you arrive via WDW Resort Transportation or by taxi, you will be admitted.

Phase 3: Only resort guests using WDW Transportation from their resort or other parks orPAP & AP Holders. This also includes guests staying at Shades of Green and Downtown Disney Resorts who arrive using their resort's transportation.

Phase 4: Closed to all new guests, including those staying onsite.

Reaching Phase 4 is rare but it can happen.

My concern for you would be if you intend to use your rental car to get to the MK, you may not get in if the MK reaches a Phase 2 or 3.

 

[buzzandjulie]

I won't use rental car I will leave at hotel and take bus that was my intention anyway usually don't use only if leave property. Think if we get closed out and I explain my fate they will let us in?

 

[pintrader]

Disney is compassionate and understanding and no one is going to tell you in an open forum that they will make an exception for you and blatantly break a law. They have to close the park by law, that is governed by the Fire Marshall. Safety HAS to be thier highest proprity.

That being said , you should certainly get to the Guest Services window to explain your situation IF you find the park closed to you using the conventional manner.

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by buzzandjulie
I won't use rental car I will leave at hotel and take bus that was my intention anyway usually don't use only if leave property. Think if we get closed out and I explain my fate they will let us in?

I see no reason why if they close the park to on site guests why they would make an exception for you, whether you just arrived or not.
I am not trying to be mean or rude here. It just seems quite clear that the rules apply to everyone, once you start making exceptions where do you draw the line? and as someone said, if they are required to close access for safety reasons then they should not be making exceptions.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by McCall
I see no reason why if they close the park to on site guests why they would make an exception for you, whether you just arrived or not.
I am not trying to be mean or rude here. It just seems quite clear that the rules apply to everyone, once you start making exceptions where do you draw the line? and as someone said, if they are required to close access for safety reasons then they should not be making exceptions.

If I understand her post correctly, her DD is in the parade. That is why it is so important.

 

[buzzandjulie]

Hopefully I won't have to deal with a closure. If it is closed due to crowds do they let you stand in line and wait to go in as people come out?

 

[buzzandjulie]

Yes my Daughter is a senior in high school and her marching band has been asked to perform in the parade. They march down Main Street and because she is the person who carries the school banner in parades she will be the one who leads her school. She has know about this for several years and it is really the hilight of their entire band marching career. They are a competative marching band and do shows all over new england in the fall where she plays in the front ensemble and plays all percussion instruments. So you can see why it is so very important for us to be there and see her march it is truely a once in a life time experience we have had our tickets and hotel since Oct

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by cruisnfamily
If I understand her post correctly, her DD is in the parade. That is why it is so important.

Ah! I seem to have missed that part must need more coffee.

 

[jaysue]

Pixie dust for you being able to get to the MK on time - have a safe and fun trip!

thanks
jaysue

 

[zurgswife]

Pixie dust...

 

[bctripp]

I really do understand your problem, when I was in high school, our band was in that parade, and it was absolutely amazing. I will never forget it. Wishig you good luck and lots of Pixie Dust!

 

[Kaycee]

Sending pixie dust that you'll get in to see your daughter march with no problems.

Please post when you get back and let us know how it worked out.

 

[buzzandjulie]

Thanks everyone will be sure to let you know how we make out when we get home. Then I have to return to work also after 10 weeks out with a fx wrist( not all bad i got to meet all you nice people)

 

[Traveliz]

We have gone many times during Easter Week and have never been shut out using park transportation. So I think you will be ok there.

I would also check on the parade times...I thought I read they were at 1 and 4 next week.

The other thing you need to be aware of is the marching bands (and my daughter did this last year on New Year's Eve so I have some experience) march in ten minute increments prior to the parade and sometimes there are three bands ahead of the parade so say for a normal 3:00 parade; the marching bands would be stepping off at 2:30, 2:40 and 2:50.

The sidewalks will be mobbed at that time Good luck finding a spot to see her. We sat down an hour and a half before parade time (this was on NYE though) to make sure we had a spot to see our daughter.

I would really be nervous about making the flights and everything working out - good luck - I for sure would have arranged to come the day before at least.

If you have time when you arrive you can ask at Guest Services to find out exactly what time your child's band steps off. And one more tip...the photographers that take pics when you enter the park also take pictures of the bands performance. You can check at the Kodak Center later that day or the next morning and they will show you the pictures. They always have a good one of the people holding the banner!

Liz

 

[buzzandjulie]

Thanks for your help. I definately would have made the reservations to arrive a day early if I ever thought that the parade was not at 3 and they would not be right in parade. But too late now I already checked and not a thing avaialbe out of northeast day before and we have first flight out in am. I have done it this way at least 5 times before and always checked in had lunch and then got to MK long before parade. But I just checked and only 1 parade that day at 2. What I may end up doing depending on time is go right to MK then leave and check into hotel Something for me to worry about . Thabks for the info on the pictures- we paid for a video but we were't told about pictures

will let youknow how I make out when return

 

[wdwobsessed]

I wouldn't worry.

True story:

My dancers were performing at the MK and one of the Mom's was late getting to the park. The line to have bags checked was huge and she was going to miss the performance! (The Mom was ... I had the dancer with me.)

MK security not only let her bypass the line and go through a special enterance ..... they escorted her to the stage .... running all the way!

I wouldn't worry. I would think they would let at least you and her in so she could be in the parade.

As a side note -- there is usually a special "backstage" meeting area you need to meet at?? I had to be the one to take my girls there via our own transportation.

WDWO

 

[kilee]

The good news is you're going to be getting farther out from Easter by a bit. So, hoping all goes well. Worst case scenario-- definetly explain about DD to a CM and see what they can do to help. Definetly rules are rules, and there are safety issues. However, they do close in phases, and I don't think they'll reach the final phase later next week.

Have fun-- how exciting!!!